Why pay more for a JL audio amp?

[frzninvt 10+ year member]

Power isn't Power, all amps certainly don't sound the same (different manufacturer's use different designs and topologies) if you think they do you are tone deaf or just plain can't tell the difference.

If you can't tell a Class D amplifier from a Class A/B amplifier then it probably does not matter what you use. Buy the cheapest made crap you can find with 10% THD and 50db S/N Ratio and Channel Separation because power is power right.

Dampening factor determines how well an amplifier controls the drivers connected to it, how quickly it starts and stops. It also makes a difference at what specific frequency that specification was measured at. The Orion XTR-100/NT 100 has a dampening factor of 1000 so even if loaded down to 1 ohm it still has incredible control. If you are listening to a double kick drum being pounded repeatedly your amp should be able to keep the woofers moving accurately to reproduce the notes as they were recorded not as a jumbled horrid one note mess.

If you can't hear the difference between an amp like an Orion NT 100 and a Jensen maybe you should stick with an iPod and a pair of earbuds.

Flame away little biatches.

 

[valter 10+ year member]

R.i.p.s.

= Rest In Peace Sundown //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif

 

[grampi 10+ year member]

Dampening factor determines how well an amplifier controls the drivers connected to it, how quickly it starts and stops. It also makes a difference at what specific frequency that specification was measured at. The Orion XTR-100/NT 100 has a dampening factor of 1000 so even if loaded down to 1 ohm it still has incredible control. If you are listening to a double kick drum being pounded repeatedly your amp should be able to keep the woofers moving accurately to reproduce the notes as they were recorded not as a jumbled horrid one note mess.

Exactly, which is why DF is probably the most important spec for an amp used for driving subs. Anyone who says DF doesn't matter doesn't know thier anus from a gopher hole.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

Anyone who says DF doesn't matter doesn't know thier anus from a gopher hole.

I assume you've listened to systems with DF's under 100?

I can't wait to hear this //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[IamDeMan 5,000+ posts]

I smell stupid.

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

if a company has an actual R and D department, actually designs it's own amplifiers and they need more specific parts inwhich to make it into production the amplifier will more than likely cost more unless you like cookie cutter amps......if companies didnt do R&D and didnt do/try different technologies amps wouldnt have changed since the late 80's or early 90's as they produced good sound back then as well. some other companies may design their amplifiers on parts and technology that is already avalible...might cost less but it still doesnt change anything. if you are a smart buyer you do your research and then get the amp you feel has the best performance and features you want..name brand doesnt matter as much as that.

 

[dragnix 5,000+ posts]

if a company has an actual R and D department, actually designs it's own amplifiers and they need more specific parts inwhich to make it into production the amplifier will more than likely cost more unless you like cookie cutter amps......if companies didnt do R&D and didnt do/try different technologies amps wouldnt have changed since the late 80's or early 90's as they produced good sound back then as well. some other companies may design their amplifiers on parts and technology that is already avalible...might cost less but it still doesnt change anything. if you are a smart buyer you do your research and then get the amp you feel has the best performance and features you want..name brand doesnt matter as much as that.

it does if u feel the need to show it off //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[grampi 10+ year member]

I assume you've listened to systems with DF's under 100?
I can't wait to hear this //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

I have heard amps with approx 100 DF when wired to low impedences and have also heard amps with much higher DF ratings wired into the same low impedence and the subs sounded much better when driven by the amp with the higher DF ratings. If you don't think DF matters, then like someone said earlier, why not just buy the junky Pyle amps?

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

I have heard amps with approx 100 DF when wired to low impedences and have also heard amps with much higher DF ratings wired into the same low impedence

I think you mean output impedance, as amps by themselves don't have a "DF" rating.

I'm not saying there's no difference in sound between very high DF and low DF systems - not saying that at all. I'm just saying that having a low DF is not necessarily a bad thing. Just as having a high THD is not always bad, it depends on the harmonic content of the signal...

To say otherwise is simply ignorant.

Besides, you're closer to the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest than I am, next year you could go there and listen to a bunch of low DF and high THD systems and hear for yourself //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[motox_727 10+ year member]

You are paying for teh JL name.. also the 1000/1 does 1000 rms @ 1-4 ohms. The Kicker amp is only stable as low as 2 ohms.

Exactly, It just gives you a wider range of ways to wire..

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

So says you.

Says many more people than me. See here for starters:

http://www.monstercable.com/mpc/stable/tech/A2412_Damping_Factor_Article.pdf

http://www.audioholics.com/education/amplifier-technology/damping-factor-effects-on-system-response/?searchterm=damping%20factor

Though his page is currently down, Stephen Mantz (Zed Audio) had paragraph in his manual on page 9 about the general unimportance of DF in solid state amplifiers.

If you don't think they are, hook up an amp to a sub with a dampening factory of 50 and listen to it, then hook up an amp with a dampening factor of at least 200 and tell me there's no difference.

Both of those are high enough to not cause audible differences.

Amps today are garbage compared to older built in the U.S.A. amps.

Since you are obviously an "old school" kind of guy, I really wish Mantz's website wasn't down so you could read the comments from one of the most respected "old school" amplifier designers.

DF can be measured at any impedence and it's ESPECIALLY important for driving subs. Do you even know what dampaning factor is measuring?

I think the real question is, do you ?

Power isn't Power, all amps certainly don't sound the same (different manufacturer's use different designs and topologies) if you think they do you are tone deaf or just plain can't tell the difference.
If you can't tell a Class D amplifier from a Class A/B amplifier then it probably does not matter what you use.

If you think you can tell a difference in sound between amplifier topologies, go win RC's amp challenge. Seriously.

Now, before you go spouting about how RC is a fruitcake and we're all mindless nut-hugging sheep realize this. Regardless of any other criticism you (or anyone else) may have regarding the challenge, one thing is for sure. There is absolutely NO better place to demonstrate a difference in sound between amplifier topologies, if one exists. None. If there is a difference, it would present itself there.

Buy the cheapest made crap you can find with 10% THD and 50db S/N Ratio and Channel Separation because power is power right.

See, statements like this just demonstrate how little you understand about the subject and the opposing viewpoint.

Dampening factor determines how well an amplifier controls the drivers connected to it, how quickly it starts and stops. It also makes a difference at what specific frequency that specification was measured at. The Orion XTR-100/NT 100 has a dampening factor of 1000 so even if loaded down to 1 ohm it still has incredible control. If you are listening to a double kick drum being pounded repeatedly your amp should be able to keep the woofers moving accurately to reproduce the notes as they were recorded not as a jumbled horrid one note mess.

Read the above links.

Flame away little biatches.

Intelligent.

 

[W8 a minute 10+ year member]

Wow. I remember reading that Dick Pierce article back in the early 90's.

 

[iceberg65 10+ year member]

the r.i.p.s system in jl amps sounds alot like the xe flow system in the phoenix gold xenon amps.

 

[valter 10+ year member]

Since you are obviously an "old school" kind of guy, I really wish Mantz's website wasn't down so you could read the comments from one of the most respected "old school" amplifier designers.

A couple of month ago Mr. Mantz himself on one internet forum posted very critical comments about modern D-class designs //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[dragnix 5,000+ posts]

A couple of month ago Mr. Mantz himself on one internet forum posted very critical comments about modern D-class designs //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

when i was over at Zed audio he was showing me some full range Class-D, i'm curious as to what he may have said about this